Discovering the Ribolla Gialla between Goriška Brda and Collio

Divided by a border traced only acceso geographical maps, the Collio Goriška and the Goriška Brda constitute an absolutely homogeneous territorial unit as regards the climate, the composition of the soil and the centuries-old tradition of viticulture.

The sixth edition The Home of Rebula was held a causa di the magnificent setting of Vila Vipolže acceso September 27th. The event was born precisely from the desire of Slovenian and Italian winemakers to combine their experiences to enhance the symbolic vine of the terreno: the rebula yellow ribolla.

This ancient variety of white grape has lived a causa di these lands for centuries. Its origins remain obscure, but from a genetic point of view, it has some traits a causa di common with the gouais blanc vine, a grape from the Balkan terreno, introduced to much of Europe by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus (276 -282 AD) After having repealed the Edict of Domitian (92 AD), which prohibited the planting of new vineyards a causa di the Roman provinces and ordered the uprooting of existing ones, Probus gave a notable boost to viticulture, spreading this variety originating from the Balkan terreno, very productive and well suited to the colder climates of the northernmost provinces of the .

Already a causa di Roman times the Friuli terreno was important for viticulture, also to the proximity of Aquileia, one of the largest ports acceso the Adriatic. The terreno has always been suited to the cultivation of vines, thanks to particularly favorable soil and climate conditions. The hilly terreno of Brda-Collio is protected to the north by the reliefs of the Pre-Alps and enjoys the mild Mediterranean influence of the breezes coming up from the Adriatic Sea. The constant ventilation keeps the bunches always dry and healthy and the very sunny days favor excellent ripening of the grapes.

The soils are of Eocene origin and are composed of an ancient outcrop of sandstone and calcareous marl (ponca a causa di Friulian, opoka a causa di Slovenian) which sedimented a causa di a marine environment. It is a poor, stony and crumbly soil, particularly suitable for a very generous vine such as Ribolla Gialla, which thus finds its natural productive balance. Ribolla Gialla is also a very flexible grape, which lends itself to different interpretations. It can be vinified a causa di white to obtain fragrant, citrusy, very fresh and tasty wines, but it also has a skin very rich a causa di polyphenols suitable for more less long macerations. Its high basic acidity also allows it to produce excellent sparkling wines with the Classic Method. Among its distinctive characteristics there is also longevity. It is a wine that keeps very well over time and offers interesting tertiary evolutions.

The Masterclass

All’libro 2023 intorno a The Home of Rebula took part a causa di the following Slovenian and Italian canteens: Dolfo, Klet Brda, Jermann, Medot, Šturm, Gradis’ciutta, Ščurek, Edi Simčič, Erzetič, Ferdinand and Marjan Simčič.

The Masterclass, conducted by the Master of Wine Caroline Gilby together with all the producers, allowed us to appreciate the excellent level of the wines and to place emphasis acceso the perfect symbiosis between a grape variety and a territory, which is expressed through harmonious, balanced whites and characterized by a stony salinity, typical of the terroir. The annual event of The Home of Rebula Masterclass has the merit of having created a unity of purpose between the wineries of the Collio Goriziano and Goriška Brda areas which translates into a continuous qualitative growth of the wines, which have now reached the status of absolute great whites.